EthicsQuest
A WebQuest About Copyright Laws
A WebQuest for Computer Topics 1
Designed by
Bobbi Remines
bremines@erols.com

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits 

Introduction

As students become more comfortable with using the Web, they often forget about legal use of published materials. They may have never been made aware of the legal implications of using items that they find in their searches. Many students believe that there is nothing wrong with freely using items that are found.  This lesson was designed to increase the awareness of technology users to the rights of the creator.  This lesson is also intended to reinforce the issues presented in the Copyright Act of 1976 and how it is extended to include present technology situations. Students will be divided into small groups to explore the various types of published media. Each member of the group will become the expert on two media types.  The group will produce a presentation to share their findings. The presentation will include ways to obtain permission and indicate the penalties for infringement. Each person will create a scenario of a proper and an improper usage of their media types. Each member of the group will select  two different media types from the following list.  The selections must be different from other group members.

1.  Print material
2.  Music (printed)
3.  Records, discs, audio tape
4.  Films, filmstrips, slides
5.  Radio (Off Air Taping)
6.  Television (Off Air Taping)
7.  Cable Television
8.  Pre-Recorded Video Tapes
9.  Computer Programs

Task

Since people like to see examples of situations which are right and wrong, each member of the group will produce for each of the two media types selected: 

  • a scenario which illustrates acceptable use of copyrighted material
  • a scenario which illustrates unacceptable use of copyrighted material
The group will create a presentation, based on information from the various group members, to illustrate and explain:
  • the Copyright Laws pertaining to various media types
  • the penalties for infringing on Copyright Laws
  • ways to obtain permission to use copyrighted materials

The Process
  • You will be assigned to a group of four people.
  • Each group member will select two media types.  No two members may select the same media type.  The types may come from the following list:

Evaluation
    Describe to the learners how their performance will be evaluated. Specify whether there will be a common grade for group work vs. individual grades.
      Beginning

    1

    Developing

    2

    Accomplished

    3

    Exemplary

    4

    Score
    Individual Presentation Topic/Content

     

    Student does not have grasp of information.  Student cannot answer questions about subject.
    Student has grasp of some essential information.Student can answer only basic questions about subject.
    Student has grasp of most essential information.  Student can answer questions but does not elaborate.
    Student has full knowledge of information. Student can answer questions with explanation and elaboration.
      
    Presentation Organization
     
     
     
     

     

    Audience cannot understand presentation because there is no sequence.
    Audience has difficulty following presentation because group jumps around.
    Group presents information in a logical sequence which audience can follow.
    Group presents information in a logical, interesting sequence which audience can follow.
     
    Mechanics






     

    Student's presentation has four or more spelling errors and/or grammatical errors.
    Presentation has three misspellings and/or grammatical errors.
    Presentation has no more than two misspellings and/or grammatical errors.
    Presentation has no misspellings and/or grammatical errors..
       

Conclusion
    At the conclusion of this lesson, you should have a good idea about the Copyright Law of 1976 and how it applies to various media types.  You should possess  a usable awareness of permissible and prohibited use of copyrighted materials.  What are some implications of Copyright Law on any future media types not mentioned here?

Credits & References